In the spirit of the hit MTV showPimp My Ride, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department rolled out its refurbished Mocs Ticket Van today. Thanks to a couple of local companies, what was once the golf team's main mode of transportation has been remade into a mobile ticket sales outlet for Mocs Athletics.
"We are always looking for unique ways to get out to the community and provide premier service to our fans," stated Interim Director of Athletics Laura Herron.
"Ultimate Sounds and Inkfish Graphics did an amazing job on our old golf van and really brought it back to life. It is going to be an eye-catcher anywhere it goes and should help us increase awareness and attendance at our home events."
The Mocs golf van was a 1996 Ford Conversion Van that was replaced last year. It was sitting in the parking lot at McKenzie Arena unused, so the Athletics Department's external staff came up with the idea of updating the vehicle.
Ultimate Sounds (6000 Lee Highway, Chattanooga - (423) 899-0017) took care of the interior by stripping out the back seats and designing a custom platform for customer service. They started with laminate flooring and two desk chairs for ticket sellers. They also constructed desks that make the side and back doors work like ticket windows. There is full power for computers and printers, while the installed WiFi unit gives sellers direct access to the Internet from anywhere around town.
Ultimate Sounds also installed an impressive audio and video system in the Mocs Ticket Van. There is a 32' HDTV at the back door and an interior and exterior sound system that includes two public address microphones. They also installed LED lights in the interior and undercarriage of the van. All of these details will draw attention to the van as it drives around town.
Inkfish Graphics (601-D Fleming Street, Dalton, Ga. - (706) 277-7446) provided the exterior upgrades that included new graphics and logos all over the vehicle. Also included on the exterior are UTC's website (GoMocs.com), social media pages (@GoMocs & Facebook.com/ChattanoogaMocs) and ticket office phone number (423-266-MOCS).
"Whether it is Nightfall, River Bend or downtown pep rallies, we have always had a presence at the many great events around Chattanooga," added Herron. "With advances in technology and our upgraded ticketing system, it is much easier for us to take our operations outside of McKenzie Arena. The Mocs Ticket Van now gives us a platform to best utilize the investments we have made in improving the way we reach our consumers."
Fans should expect to see the Mocs Ticket Van around town at events throughout the Chattanooga area. Be sure to follow @GoMocs on Twitter for instant updates on where the Mocs Ticket Van will be open for business next. For a close up look at the Mocs Ticket Van, don't forget to check out the MocsVision video and photos that are attached to this story.